Deni

That's what I'd really like to know. Instead of just "this is a low-light plant" or "this is a high-light plant", tell me what will happen in different levels. Will I kill a certain low-light plant if I have too much light? Will a lower-than-optimum light level kill this certain plant or just cause it to grow more slowly? I haven't been able to find much information along those lines. Is it out there and I've just missed it?

Robert Hudson

Well its hard to get that specific with every plant, and it could be subjective, but I think its a good direction for a conversation. Thats part of the problem too... you almost have to talk in generalities, but in doing so much is open to interpretation.

Deni

Okay. If I start off an anubias nana petite with low-ish light, what will happen to it if I increase it to medium or even high light? Will it wither because the light's too bright? Will it grow faster, get bigger? Or will it have no effect? This is something that I really want to know, because that's exactly what I want to do. I like the idea of a little plant and if adding more light would make my petite not so petite, then I'd keep the light low.

Or is this something that would benefit from some experimentation because nobody's ever done it?

BryceM

Deni,

I'm keeping three varieties of Anubias barteri, 2 java ferns, 6 species of crypts and 1 moss under 3.5 wpg with MH lighting. Morphologically, they don't look much different. Leaf size for anubias and the ferns is identical to my low-light setups. The crypts leaves get a little bigger and the plants are certainly denser. The anubias look like anubias anywhere else.

So far as I can tell the only negative is that these so-called slow growers are actually spreading quickly enough that they need monthly trimming. This is especially true of the narrow-leaf java fern. Anubias is a bit harder to keep algae-free under high light, but like most plants, it responds to an occasional trim with new, healthier growth.

Deni

Thank you! I've really been wondering, so it helps a whole lot.

hoppycalif

I think it is true that all "low light" plants are just able to grow in low light, but they will all grow faster and better in higher light. I don't remember reading about anyone harming a plant with too much light. (Other than by underfertilizing after the plants start growing faster.)

dawntwister

I have a 29 gallon tank with 1.5 wpg. My favorite low light plants are the java fern "needle" and Myriophyllum mattogrossense. The Myriophyllum mattogrossense doesn't seem to like to be moved. It dies a little when I move, but comes back.

Read that swords are low light plants. My amazon sword is doing fine. The chain swords melted.